Bridge's remains, being VIII sermons

Ans. In the fourth place in many things it is a very evil thing for a Professor of the Gospel to be carnal. For

1. Is it not an evil thing for a man to walk contrary unto his Profession: Peccatum majus ubi repugnantia major; ¹is it not an evil thing for a Judge to do unjustly? Yea, Why? Because it is contrary unto his profession Now the profession of the Gospel is spiritual, and the Professors of the Gospel are so described and called. The spiritual man judgeth all things; and ye that are spiritual, restore such an one, &c. The Weapons of our War-fare, saith the Apostle, are not carnal. Carnal Weapons are suitable to carnal profession, but spiritual weapons are suitable to spiritual profession. 'Tis observed therefore ⟨p. 126⟩that the Weapons of the Papists in advancing their Religion, are very carnal; Somewhat they have in their religion which doth comply with every mans carnal humour. If a man be Devotional,² they have a Cloister for him; If he be Disputative, they have their Schools for him; If a man or woman do pretend to chastity, they have their Nunneries and Priories for them; If a man be given to filthy wantonness, they have their allowed Stews for him; If a m•n be given to honour and greatness, they have a Cardinals Cap for him; And if he be given to despise and neglect the world, they have a Mendicant Fryers place for him. Some carnal thing still they have that doth suit with the carnal and wicked humours of men. Why? but because their warfare is carnal, and so the weapons of their warfare are carnal. But the Profest Religion is spiritual and reforming; how have they therefore advanced their Religion, but by powerful Preaching, Printing good books, Translating the Scriptures into the vulgar tongue, Catechising and instructing the younger, open Disputings for the truth, and Suffering for the same; Thus the Reformed Religion hath been carried on by good and spiritual weapons. Why? for our war-fare is spiritual, now in these times we are upon another condition of Reformation, we are reforming the very Reformation and therefore the weapons of our war-fare should be most spiritual; are we therefore carnal now in these days, then do we walk contrary unto our Profession.